I put new spark plugs and spark plug wires on and when I start my van it sounds like its still missing and when I look at my distributor cap its turn a little and that stuff I read it says that the screws holding down that cap are to be alined at 3 and 9 and they are not alined with 3 and 9 I have a 1998 dodge caravan SE 3.0LI put new spark plugs and spark plug wires on and when I start my van it sounds like its still missing and when I look at my distributor cap its turn a little and that stuff I read it says that the screws holding down that cap are to be alined at 3 and 9 and they are not alined with 3 and 9 I have a 1998 dodge caravan SE 3.0L

AnonymousMay 11, 2010

It only goes on one way. What are the issues?It only goes on one way. What are the issues?

Sometimes distributors are in a little different. If it was running alright before you changed the parts, and does not run well now, and the distributor is turned to the angle it was before you started, it is not the distributor rotation that is the problem, but is either the parts you used, or the way they were put in.

But you say, “it sounds like its still missing.” This implies that it was missing before you started. Still, the fact that it runs at all indicates that the distributor is pretty close to in right.

Pull one plug wire at a time to see which one has little to no effect when it is pulled. That is the cylinder that is not working right--focus your energies there. You should perform a compression check to see whether you have sprung a head gasket leak, burned a valve, etc. If you have one cylinder with substantially lawer compression than the others, you will need to make an engine repair to overcome this.

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the firing order # is 1342, and the # 1 firing postion on the distributor cap should be at the 5 o clock position on the cap. this is according to the manual that i have. because the rotor turns counter clockwise. if you have any doubt, remove the #1 spark plug , and distributor cap , and bring the # 1 piston up on top dead center of the compression stroke, and the tip of the rotor will be facing the # 1 firing position.

Check the Camshaft Position Sensor or the Crankshaft Position Sensor. Those are the modern day Distributor Caps of the 21st Century, if neither of them are working the ECM (Computer) does not know what position the Crankshaft is in so it will not be able to start your motor.,

Dependent on which way your rotor button turns (clockwise or counter-clockwise), the firing order is 1-3-4-2. If you're unsure and the distributor cap doesn't have an arrow denoting which way the rotor turns, you'll have to remove the distributor cap and have someone crank the engine over to see which way it turns. Now, if you have ALL your wires from the distributor cap removed, you'll have to locate TDC (Top Dead Center). Remove spark plug number 1 and rotate the engine clockwise (as you're looking at it), with the distributor cap off until you can insert the end of a screwdriver into the spark plug port to feel the top of the piston touch the screwdriver. Remember, the Crankshaft goes around twice for every time the camshaft goes around once, so look at the timing marks on the Crankshaft and make sure there lined up at "zero", the piston is touching the screwdriver, and where ever the rotor is pointing...that's number one cylinder.

remove disturbutor cap mark where rotor is and mark position of dist, remove bolt holding dist, pull dist out. now install new one but make sure rotor ends up pointing in exact poistion as old and dist is postioned they same. good luck.

Ok Get a grip! get a flrash light and peer down the distriputor shaft hole look at the oil pump shaft, if it has a -- type shaft do the following. Remove the distributor cap mark #1 on the distributor housing turn to the number one postion and look at the shaft on the distributor by raiseing it above your head notice what positon it is at 1 oclcok 6 oclock or what ever the postion, now go back tothe block and turn the shaft in that direction so it lines up then turn the oil pump shaft 1 tooth or 1/8 inch oppisete direction gears spins. then place the distributor down in the hole not moving it from it's postion then lower it into the engine and turn it 1/8 inch counter clockwise as it drops allow the rotor to turn freely if it does not drop down turn the distributer one more tooth by raising it up so you can feel the teeth move one tooh then drop again you may have to wigle the distributor rotor shaft to get it to fall in. hope this helps. and have a six pack and walk away for an hour and try again.

Ok firing order is 15426378 counter clockwise. No 1 on the cap is usually( facing the distributor from the front of the car )is around the 1 o'clock postion(usually 1 is marked on the cap). the cylinders are right bank(passenger side 1.2.3.4 and left side(drivers side) 5.6.7.8.